Underground Fire Forces Temporary Evacuation

An underground transformer unit caught fire today in a Palm Desert neighborhood, forcing a temporary evacuation in the immediate area, but no one was hurt, according to Cal Fire.

The fire was reported about 1 p.m. in the underground electrical unit in the 39000 block of Ciega Creek Drive and was extinguished at 2:20 p.m., said Jody Hagemann of Cal Fire.

Workers with Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co. responded to assess the scene and check the electrical box and gas lines in the area, respectively, she said.

Residents on the west side of the street were temporarily evacuated as a precaution, Hagemann said.

Officials were trying to determine how the fire started.